VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 57 



ch'ien-niu). The root is the part used, is fibrous, of a reddish- 

 brown color, has a fragrant odor and but little taste. It is 

 used in the treatment of pulmonary affections, in hoetnoptysis, 

 hematuria, puerperal hemorrhage, and dysuria. It is also 

 considered to be quieting to the nervous system, and is there- 

 fore used in the restless crying of children. It is also regarded 

 to have some tonic virtues. 



ASTER TRINERVIUS.— .B| ^ (Ma-lan), 803. Also 

 called ^ ^ iTzu-chii), "purple chrysanthemum." It grows 

 almost everywhere in marshy places and on the borders of 

 lakes. The flower has an unpleasant odor. The root and 

 leaves are used, and are recommended for the treatment of 

 hemorrhages, all forms of animal poisoning, and in malaria. 

 It is especially recommended in that mysterious disorder called 

 by the Chinese (Sha). 



ASTRAGALUS HOANGTCHY. — ^ ^ (Huang-ch*i), 

 510. Name also written ^ ^ (Huang-ch'i). The first name 

 is sometimes written ^ ^ (Huang-shih), but this is incorrect. 

 Large quantities of this drug pass between the ports of China ; 

 it being produced in Manchuria, Chihli, Shantung, Szechuan, 

 and Shensi. Several varieties are distinguished, being named 

 for the places from which they come. It is possible that the 

 root of a Sophora is included among these. The roots are 

 flexible and long, as large as a finger, and covered with a 

 tough, wrinkled, yellowish-brown skin, which has a tendency 

 to break up into wooly fibers. The woody interior is of a 

 yellowish-white color, and the whole drug has a faintly sweetish 

 taste, somewhat resembling that of liquorice root. It is in 

 great repute as a tonic, pectoral, and diuretic medicine. The 

 diseases for which it is prescribed, therefore, are almost num- 

 berless. Every sort of wasting or exhausting disease is 

 thought to be benefited by it. Like most of the tonic and 

 diuretic remedies, it is prescribed in malaria. 



ATRACTYLIS.— 7f[; (Shu). Hance has identified the j^ 

 ;7fL (Pai-shu), which is so largely grown in Chekiang province 

 and exported from Ningpo, as Aristolochia reairvilabra (which 



